Folding table.



H. L. HASKELL.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 19!].

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

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FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 191].

HENRY L. HASKELL, F LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

Application filed May 26, 1911. Serial No. 629,611.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY L. HAsKELL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at folding tables.

tit

The main objects of this invention are; First, to provide an improved folding table, in which the legs .are connected to the top bed or frame, so that when erected they are positioned at the corners of the frame and are supported entirely by the frame. Second, to provide an improved folding table, in which the hinge members for the legs attached to the frame, constitute frame members. Third, to provide in a folding table an improved leg connection, in which the legswhen erected, are automatically locked in their erected positions and are very rigid, without the necessity of providing braces therefor. Fourth, to provide an improved folding table, which is light in weight and at the same time very rigid.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means descrlbed 1n the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims. I

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l[ is a side view of a structure embodymg the features of my inventlon. Fig. TI is an inverted view with the legs collapsed. Fig. ][11 is an inverted detail per-v spective, of one of the corners of the table, showing one of the legs in its erected position. Fig. IV is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. IllI with the leg colla sed. Fig. V is a detail. vertical section tafien on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. TH. Fig. V1 is a detail horizontal section taken on a line corresponding to the broken line of 6-6 of Fig. V. Fig. VII is a cross section through the bolt 11 taken on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. V, the spring 14: being shown in dotted lines. Fig. VIII is a vertical section through the table with the legs collapsed, taken on a hne corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. IT. IX is an enlarged detail taken on a line respondlng to line 99 of Fig. 11, showing the details of one of the holders 23.

In the drawings, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the top of the structure illustrated consists of a thin panel of veneer, paper board or the like, over which is arranged a fabric covering 2. The top is mounted on the bed or frame comprising side pieces 3, and cross pieces 4. The cross pieces 4 are arranged parallel with and in a spaced relation to the side pieces 3 and are secured at their outer ends to the side pieces and at their inner ends to the meeting cross pieces. The cross pieces are provided with mortises 5 for the ends of the abutting cross pieces. The frame side pieces are rabbetcd at 27 to receive the edges of the top panel. Kerfs 28 are preferably formed at the ends of the rabbets to receive the edges of the covering 2. The edges of the covering are forced into these kerfs and retained by glue. This protects the edges of the panel and provides a top having a finished appearance without th necessity of using finishing strips.

The legs 6 are pivotally connected to the frame by hinges comprising the hinge members 7, secured to the frame and the hinge Fig.

members 8 secured to the legs and pivoted I to the hinge members 7. The hinge members are preferably sheet metal stampings of U-shape arranged one within the other, the outer member 7 being the frame member and the inner member 8 the leg member. As the hinges are all alike I refer to one only in the following description. The arms of the member 8 are secured to the arms of the 'member 7 by means of the pivots 9 arranged through the pivot ears 10 at the ends of the arms of the inner member. The

pivots are arran ed so that when the leg is erected, the mem er 8 swings against and is supported by the inner end of the member 7.

The leg is retained in its erected msition by means of the catch bolt 11, which is slidably arranged through the pair of ears 12, formedon the ends of the arms of the inner or leg hinge member. This bolt is automatically engaged with the hole like keeper 13 in the outer arm of the outer hinge member by means of the spring 14; This spring is mounted on one of the pivots 9, its upper end being forked to engage notches 15 in the bolt. The outer hinge member is provided with a recess like keeper 16, for the bolt when the leg is in its collapsed position. This keeper 16 is in the form shown, SO\, that while it prevents the accidental swinging of the leg from its collapsed pos1- tion, it does not prevent the leg being swung to its erected position, without previously withdrawing the bolt from the keeper as the bolt will readily slide from the keeper.

The hinge member 8 is preferably secured.

to the leg by means of the attaching arms 17 which are provided with integral prongs 18. These arms 17 are struck from the ends of the arms of the inner hinge member 8 between the ears 10 and 12.

The outer hinge member is arranged in the corner of the frame and is secured thereto by screws arranged through the outer arm thereof, through its inner end and through the attaching lug 19, which is struck out from its inner arm as illustrated. The hinge member thus forms a corner iron or frame member, serving to secure the side pieces thereof 7, as well as to provide connection for the leg. The legs fold parallel with the side pieces of the frame as shown in Fig. II.

By arranging the cross pieces as illustrated in Fig. II, the frame is braced and the thin panel top is effectively supported throughout. The rectangular space 20 between the inner ends of the cross pieces 4:, is provided with a bottom plate 21, which fits within the cross pieces and is retained by the buttons 22 against the brace or corner blocks 26. This provides a central receptacle on the under side of thetable for the reception of cards or other game materials or devices. This is of decided advantage, as tables of like character are frequently employed as card or game tables.

To provide means for holding cards, score sheets or the like, I arrange a set of four holders '23 on the cross pieces 4: in the space between the rim and cross pieces. These holders are in the form of spring loops having spring coils 24 adjacent to their inner ends 25 which are engaged in the cross pieces as shown in Fig. IX. The articles to be held are clamped by the holders against the under side of the table top. As the holders are in the same relative position to the sides of the table they are very convenient to use, as the players can readily locate them. By mounting the legs as described I am able to use legs of standard lengths on a top of comparatively small dimensions and I when erected they are all at the corners of the table and when collapsed fold into the rim. The legs are held in their erected they are arranged so that positions without braces so that there are no parts on the under side of the table to be engaged by thelegs of the persons sitting at the table.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in detail, in the form in which I have embodied them and have not attempted to illustrate various modifications which I have in mind, as such modifications will no doubt be obvious to those skilled in the art to Which this invention relates. I desire, however, to be understood as claiming my invention specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a rectangular frame, of a leg, a hinge for said leg comprising outer andinner U-shaped members arranged one within the other, the outer member being arranged in a corner of said frame with its outer arm secured to one side thereof and its inner end to the adjacent side, the inner member being arranged upon the leg and having pairs of ears at the ends of its arms, the upper pair of ears being pivoted to the arms of the outer member, ad acent its upper edges, the, outer member being open at the front between the arms thereof, a catch bolt slidably arranged in the lower pair of ears, said bolt being transversely notched, the outer arm of the outer hinge member being provided with a keeper hole for said bolt when the leg is in its erected position, and with a recess-like keeper for said bolt when the leg is in its collapsed position; and a spring pivotally mounted on the inner arm of said outer member and forked to engage said notch of said bolt.

2. The, combination with a frame, of a leg, a hinge for said leg comprising U- shaped leg and frame members arranged one within the other, the frame member being secured to said frame and having arms extending outwardly therefrom, the leg member embracing the end of said leg and having pairs ofears extending therefrom adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof, a

means pivotally connecting said upper pair of ears to the arms of the frame members adJacent the upper edges thereof, a \catch' bolt slidably mounted in the lower pair of ears, keeper holes in one arm of the frame member adapted to be engaged by said bolt when the leg is in its raised and lowered positions respectively, and a spring holding said bolts normally in engagement with said keeper holes.

3. The combination with a frame, of a leg, a hinge for said leg comprising leg and frame members arranged one within the other, the frame member being secured to 7 ing said leg and raaenae said frame with its arme enteng out" wardly therefrom, the leg member embraee having pairs of ears extending therefrom adjacent the upper and lower edges, means for pivotally connecting the upper pair of ears to the frame member adjacent the upper edges thereof, a bolt slidably mounted in said lower ears; and keeper holes in one arm of said frame ember adapted to be engaged byeaid boltwlien the leg is in raised and lowered positions respectively d. The combination with a frame, ot a l, a hinge for said leg eomprig leg and ammo members arranged one W1 the other, theiirame member being secured to.

said frame, the leg member embracing the end of said leg and having airs of earsextending L outwardly there r'om, means pivotally connecting the upper pair of said ears to said frame member adjacent its upper edge, and means carried by the lower air of ears engaging said frame member w en said leg is in its raised and lowered positions for holding it in said positions.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. v

HENRY L. MSKELL. [n.a] Witnesses:

E. M. Freeman, A. F. Lanna. 

